Tennessee Code Title 11. Natural Areas and Recreation § 11-1-114

(a) The commissioner of environment and conservation has the authority to enter into agreements with any not-for-profit corporation chartered under the laws of this state, such agreements being for the purpose of planning, providing, maintaining, and/or administering recreational and natural areas and facilities for the use by the general public.

(b) Such authority includes the power to provide duly commissioned park rangers for the enforcement of state laws and regulations on publicly and privately owned lands or waters used as recreational areas by the general public.

(c) Furthermore, the commissioner has the authority to acquire by gift, purchase, exchange, assumption of tax payments, or other method specifically excluding condemnation, lands or easements adjacent to or near such recreational or natural areas for the purpose of facilitating the public use of these areas.

(d) In exercising the authority granted in this section, the commissioner shall abide by all law relating to contracts, property management, and leasing, including such regulations as may be promulgated by appropriate state officials, subject to specific appropriation of funds by the general assembly.